Melanoma
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Melanoma is one of the least common but most deadly forms of skin cancer. If you have a mole that has changed over time or appears to have changed in some way, you should have it checked out by a dermatologist. Use the following ABCDEs to judge if a mole looks suspicious:
- A = Asymmetry – one half of the mole is unlike the other half
- B = Border – the edge or border of the mole is irregular or blurred
- C = Color – the color is not uniform with shades of black, brown, tan and sometimes red, white and blue
- D = Diameter – the mole is greater than 6 mm (the size of a pencil eraser) although melanomas can be smaller
- E = Evolving – a mole that is changing or evolving or looks different than the others
Facts:
- One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime
- Invasive melanoma is projected to be the fifth most common cancer for men, the seventh most common cancer for women and the second most common form of cancer in females age 15-29
- Melanoma is highly treatable when detected early
- Although melanomas can develop anywhere on your body, areas exposed to sunlight are more susceptible
- Melanoma accounts for 5% of all skin cancers and 71% of skin cancer deaths
- Although anyone can get melanoma, the risk is much higher for fair skinned redheads and blonds with blue or green eyes or skin that freckles or burns easily
- Men over the age of 50 have a higher risk of developing melanoma than the general population